WASHINGTON, D.C. - Saying it was with a "heavy heart, but also a swelling of pride," Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) on Tuesday took to the House floor to pay tribute to fallen FDNY Lt. Gordon (Matt) Ambelas.

Ambelas, 40, a married father of two from Great Kills, died on July 5 while battling a high-rise fire in Brooklyn. He was a 14-year veteran of the Fire Department, and was the first city firefighter to fall in the line of duty since 2012.

Grimm called Ambelas "a testament to the uncommon courage and sacrifice at the very core of the entire FDNY family and the harrowing dangers they face in keeping America's greatest city safe every day."

Grimm said that Ambelas, who died after searching the 19th floor of the burning building for victims, displayed a valor "that would've melted the courage of most any man."

He said that attending Ambelas' funeral in Great Kills last week was "a very stark reminder that not only do we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to fallen heroes like Matt, but also to the loving families that bear the immeasurable sacrifice right along with them."

Recalling the firefighters who perished on 9/11 and those who'd died in the line of duty since, Grimm said, "Each loss, while a weight on our hearts, adds yet another angel to that storied brotherhood of heroes."